AFMC to increase intake of students

Pune: Soon, city-based Armed Forces Medical College may increase its intake of students for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course.

Director-General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) Lieutenant General M K Unni on Wednesday said they are in the process of raising the number of medical students from 130 to 150.

Lt Gen Unni, who is also Senior Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps (AMC), was in the city as the chief guest for the commissioning ceremony of the 51st batch of medical graduates.

He said that after increasing the intake, the AFMC would fulfil the 50% requirement of the armed forces. "We have to fill up half of its vacancies from the civil medical institute. It is a good mix, having students from civilian institutes and AFMC. When students come from two different streams, they mingle well and ideas from each other are imbibed," he added.

Unni hinted at the possibility of establishing another medical college on the lines of the AFMC in the near future. "At present, the plan is on the drawing board," he said.

On Wednesday, 100 medical graduates were commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services. As many as 84 graduates joined the Army, 12 joined the Air Force and four joined the Indian Navy.

Earlier, while addressing the newly-commissioned officers, Unni advised them to serve the nation with dedication, courage and valour.

"Compassion, empathy, commitment, understanding and effective communication are essential ingredients for effective patient care. Science and technology have revolutionised medical practice but can never replace the dependence on human counsel. Work hard and learn about the practice of medicine," he said.

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